Red Hot Hoops: 2013’s Best Wheels and Tires

Giant P-XCR Composite 29er 0

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Giant is joining Specialized, Trek and Scott at the house-brand wheel party. The company’s new P-XCR Composite is its top-of-the-line carbon option. Unlike Giant’s carbon frames, which it makes in house, the tubeless-compatible rims come from an outside supplier. Giant turns to DT-Swiss for spokes and driver mechanism—Giant wisely specs the fast-engaging 36-tooth, 10-degree ratchets. The spokes form a 90-degree angle between hub and rim, which Giant says reduces driving and braking windup. A 2mm increase in drive-side bracing angle improves lateral stiffness while making the wheels compatible with 11-speed drivetrains. The hubs are compatible with common thru-axle dropouts.
Price: $2,300